[Tubby Isaacs]

Think Humza was right to kick out the Greens. Absolute amateurs. Having made a big song and dance about reviewing the coalition over the dropped climate targets (surely they knew they'd be missed?) they're now saying they wanted to strengthen it, and are giving the impression of seriously considering voting against Humza in the confidence vote and moaning about the SNP rightwing. The SNP, like any nationalists, don't only have leftwing voters. So it's not unreasonable for them to heed these.

The only reason they're bigger than the Welsh Greens is that they get regional votes from SNP supporters. If I were them, I'd go as quietly as I possibly could. "Will review carefully what the SNP put forward as a minority government", that sort of thing.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Jesus Christ. This is mad.

They're pissing away all the regional votes they get from SNP supporters.

[Crabcakes]

This is like the SNP have entered into a bet with the Tories as to who can implode in the most spectacular fashion.

[Tubby Isaacs]

There are a lot of Yes voters who supported Brexit and disapproved of the gender bill. That doesn't sound unlike Labour Red Wall voters in England. I don't know if these are the same Yes voters who who are saying they'll vote Labour at the moment, but it's very plausible. Do they come back without Humza and the Greens? Who is there who can keep them onside without Independence as any kind of immediate prospect?

[Tubby Isaacs]

I think this is a very plausible point. Scottish voters are clearly more used to coalitions than English voters, but no electorate anywhere is over detail like what's in the Bute House Agreement, even when it's communicated much more than it seems to have been.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Putting a brave face on it. Minor party gets lots of attention, so some people might well join up. It's voters who matter. Can't see why they'd be impressed with backing the VONC.

[The Weeping Angel]

What's caused this VONC? Is it the Cass review or something else?

[Tubby Isaacs]

The Tories tabled it, the other Unionists supported it quickly. Probably anticipating nothing more than an opportunity to put Humza on the spot for a couple of hours. Then the Greens said they'd vote for it.

[Tubby Isaacs]

48% of SNP members voted for Kate Forbes, Ross. (Not to say she's all bad or anything, her child payment is very good). But perhaps there runes to be read? And what about the wider electorate? I think your party would have been well advised to adopt a lower profile for a while.

[Philip Marlow]

I think there was an overly complacent assumption that the socially reactionary element had either fucked off to Alba, or decided that their conservatism was more important than their Scottish nationalism for the moment, and hooked up with one of the branch offices of the UK’s two major parties. Really should have been put to bed by Forbes’ showing in the leadership election though.

[Crabcakes]

Looks like going quietly is off the cards, then…

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/li ... ics-latest

[davidjay]

I do like the idea that Alba's solitary MEP potentially holds the balance of power.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Her price for supporting Humza is that he keeps Grangemouth open as a refinery.

[Bones McCoy]

Her price for supporting Humza is that he keeps Grangemouth open as a refinery.

Seems like a worthwhile request.
I've no idea whether that's within Humza's powers.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I think they can put money in, yes. But they see the future as being not as a refinery, but something else I don't really understand. I would think that, sans Greens, the SNP (with support from Unionists as well as Regan) might see a way to keeping the refinery open.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/242 ... sure-plan/

[Tubby Isaacs]

She is quite literally crying here. It almost feels cruel to listen, but it's not exactly going to help the image of The Greens as a party of government.

[davidjay]

That's ridiculous. If she gets upset at a setback she's no business in politics.

[mattomac]

Performative,

I’ve met some decent greens but a fair few of them who rise to the top are good at this (or shall I say bad).

[Tubby Isaacs]

Bloke who isn't even an MSP and whose party have only one MSP (who was elected for the SNP) threatens SNP First Minister. And very effectively, it has to be said.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Humza says fuck off, as of course he had to. Is Salmond now going to run a load of candidates against the SNP? I'd expect the SNP to get by far the greater number of votes, but there are likely to be a fair few close SNP-LAB seats in the Central Belt...

I think it's still possible the Greens change their mind and abstain, and Humza survives. But given their political skill so far, they'll probably not.